Lions Partner to Protect Children from Measles

The fight against measles just received a substantial shot in the arm. Lions Clubs International has committed to raising US$30 million by 2017 to continue its efforts to protect tens of millions of children from measles and rubella. The Lions’ funds will be matched by the Gates Foundation and the UK’s Department for International Development through the GAVI Matching Fund. The GAVI Alliance is a public-private partnership whose mission is to save children’s lives by increasing access to immunization in the world’s poorest countries.

“Lions Clubs International and its members are excited to continue our commitment to the fight against measles and rubella,” said Lions Clubs International Foundation Chair Wing-Kun Tam. “Through our joint efforts with GAVI and other partners, we will increase access to quality immunization services at every level – globally, nationally and locally – to benefit children in developing countries.”

Lions will also play a key role in social mobilization efforts by working work with local leaders, coordinating community-level publicity and serving as volunteers at vaccination centers. Measles kills about 160,000 people annually, mostly children under age five. Through the One Shot, One Life: Lions Measles Initiative, Lions and LCIF have already helped vaccinate 20 million children against measles alongside its partners since 2010.